Durkan slams papal snub: 'should have gone to Scotland'

He said Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness showed a distinct lack of tolerance and respect in not going to Scotland to mark the visit of Pope Benedict. He said Northern Ireland should have been represented in Scotland.

Mr Durkan, a former Deputy First Minister, said: "Northern Ireland should have been represented at the papal visit to Scotland - ideally by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

"I am at a loss to understand why efforts were not made to ensure that this was not the case.

"I also believe the New York Stock Exchange event in Belfast could have been altered to accommodate the papal visit.

"Obviously Peter Robinson had difficulties with this, given the position adopted by DUP MPs who tabled an Early Day Motion in Westminster specifically critical of the papal visit and the state treatment of it - a motion that is worded quite offensively. Also, we know the position taken by Ian Paisley Senior, his predecessor as party leader and First Minister.

"It is very disappointing that Northern Ireland was not represented in Scotland at joint Executive level - as envisaged and created under the Good Friday Agreement.

"After all, Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson attend meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee which is at UK cabinet level. Martin McGuinness also went to Liverpool and had no problem backing Derry as the UK City of Culture."

He said the joint office should show equal respect to figureheads beloved of all sides of the political and cultural divide here.

Mr Durkan argued: "To those who respect the Queen as their head of state I would want to show them respect. Equally, I would want unionist representatives to show respect for the President of Ireland and those who have affinities and loyalties there.

"When the Queen Mother died, as Deputy First Minister, I could have opted not to attend. I attended - not because of any special regard I had for the Queen Mother – but simply out of respect for those people in Northern Ireland who do.

"Similarly, respect should also be afforded to the Pope and other religious leaders and figureheads. What we must do as political representatives and in our institutions is adhere to a motto of respect for one another - and then lead by example.

"It is a matter of tolerance and respect when you represent the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister. You are not just representing yourself. You are not just representing your own tradition or your own party. You are meant to be representative of everyone."